Lycabettus Hill

Athens sprawls across the plain of Attica and like many European cities, is built on seven hills. Lycabettus, at 300 meters above the sea level, is the highest peek overlooking the Attica Basin offering unique views from above.

Considered as an oasis in the middle of the city, with rocky slopes covered with pines and low shrubs the hill provides a significant habitat for 64 bird species.

According to mythology, goddess Athena removed a piece of Mountain Pendeli, to boost the heights of her temple on the Acropolis hill, but while en route, bad tidings imposed the goddess to drop the rock in the middle of the city.

On the top of the rock, a large open-air ampitheater hosts world acclaimed musicians throughout the summer period offering unique moments to Athenians and visitors.

The summit is crowned with Ayios Georgios Chapel and the "sine qua non" traditional bell tower. On a clean and clear day, one can even watch the island of Aegina, with or without the telescopes.

Lycabettus, the older of the names for this mountain, means "where the wolves go" or "path of the wolves" since in the ages of Pericles, it is believed that wolves used to roam freely in this mountain, in this last haven in Attica. The wolves are definitely gone, but the forest and the view are still here!

The top of the hill is an excellent spot to watch the sunset and indulge yourself in a mystic view of the city. Now! Turn around, to watch the moon rising across the Mountain Hymettus.

The panoramic view from this top is priceless. In the north affront Mountain Parnes, in the west side stretch your gaze towards Piraeus and the Saronic Gulf.

Much higher of the Acropolis, the Mountain gives an unsurpassed view of the temple, the Panathinaiko Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Hellenic Parliament.

Active travellers may climb; romantic ones can take a great ride with the Funicular Railway. One way or another, do not miss the top and be alert for summer concerts. Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Black Sabbath, Nick Cave, Pet Shop Boys and many more have performed on this theatre's stage.